Constitutions Made Simple
Popular uprisings against autocratic, corrupt or under-performing governments often highlight the role of ordinary citizens, through the internet and social media, in orchestrating the downfall of regimes, while also showing the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens (owing partly to a lack of information and constitutional understanding) in seeking to engage in the subsequent constitution-building processes. These whiteboard animation videos are part of International IDEA’s contribution to civic education in support of such constitution-building processes. They explain the basic concepts of constitutionalism and constitution building to non-specialist audiences, with an emphasis on helping citizens to understand what a constitution is and does, how constitutions are made, and why the constitution is relevant to their lives. The videos are designed to be viewed online and shared through social media, but could also be used in more structured settings, such as a workshop or seminar, to provide a good general introduction to the subject on which to base further discussions or activities.
What is a constitution?
Key messages
- We need government, but government must be controlled if it is to serve the people.
- Constitution is a supreme law that is binding even on the government.
- A constitution organises and constrains power.
- A constitution defines a state and the rights of its citizen.
- In a democratic order, the Constitution ensures that the people ultimately control the Government.
Note:
This video is available in Arabic, Armenian, Hungarian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
How are constitutions made?
Key messages
- Constitution-building is a Process.
- The process starts before and ends after agreeing the text.
- Broad agreement and public support key to success of the process.
- Building agreement takes time and will involve compromises.
- ‘We the people’ means everyone.
Note:
This video is available in Arabic, Armenian, Hungarian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Why do constitutions matter?
Key messages
- Constitutions are of indirect benefit: they can influence the quality of democracy, which improves the ability and willingness of those exercising power to use their power for the benefit of society.
- Constitutional change, although indirect, can be transformative.
- Constitutions are not just for lawyers, politicians and public servants, but for everyone.
Note:
This video is available in Arabic, Armenian, Hungarian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
Why Federalism?
Key messages
- Federalism provides a way for different groups of people in different parts of the country to live together
- Federal systems have at least two levels of government, the central level and a second level that includes territorial entities into which the country is divided, e.g. regions, states, provinces.
- Federalism provides ways by which these different groups share power over common interests, but it also provides for these groups to have a level of autonomy vis-à-vis central state institutions
- Federations are protected by a constitution regarding ways in which power is shared in central state institutions, but also regarding the powers and responsibilities of both the central state and provinces, states or regions.
- But federalism is not a panacea. There are specific challenges that federalism alone cannot resolve, e.g. how to protect minorities, or the fact that federalism can be expensive as you need to build institutions not only and the central, but also at the region, state, provincial level. Sometimes the different levels have difficulties coordinating policies or policy responses, such as to pandemics or natural disasters.
What is Federalism?
Key messages
- Federalism provides a way for different groups of people in different parts of the country to live together
- Federal systems have at least two levels of government, the central level and a second level that includes territorial entities into which the country is divided, e.g. regions, states, provinces.
- Federalism provides ways by which these different groups share power over common interests, but it also provides for these groups to have a level of autonomy vis-à-vis central state institutions
- Federations are protected by a constitution regarding ways in which power is shared in central state institutions, but also regarding the powers and responsibilities of both the central state and provinces, states or regions.
- But federalism is not a panacea. There are specific challenges that federalism alone cannot resolve, e.g. how to protect minorities, or the fact that federalism can be expensive as you need to build institutions not only and the central, but also at the region, state, provincial level. Sometimes the different levels have difficulties coordinating policies or policy responses, such as to pandemics or natural disasters.